Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1887-10-16


the crowd. The man who claims the
hand Of wealth and beauty should first
give some credentials of his future sue
cess"
Mr.. Templeton delivered himself OF
this opinion in an ordinary colloquial
manner. but it was evident he spoke
with some personal feeling. as his
daughter had spoken on the same sub
ject before bin.
Walter, who in silence had followed
the conversation with quickened int
rest, was quite unnerved by Mr.. Tenn
pleton's interposition. He thought
that he must be deadly pale, he felt so
sick mt heart. This was the answer of
the cold, matter-of-fact man of the
world TO the generous and fervent SEN
timents Of the daughter.
Mr.. Tcmpleton's summing up meet
ing with general concurrence, the con-
yersation soon drifted into other chan
nels. Walter was again thrown into
the agonies Of doubt aud despair. He
sat silent and moody, much to the SUE
prise of his acquaintances at the table,
asking Of himself whether. after all,
these men were not right and May mis-
taken. Should he not do something
to show himself worthy of her before
binding her TO him by the bonds OF
marriage He-a briefless barrister.
without n settled income for a week
had no business TO ask Mr.. Tcmpleton
70 give his daughter into his keeping.
He ought to give proof OF his WORTH
ness Of the trust. These arguments
would doubtless have weighed little
with him were it not for the knowledge
which Mr.. TempletOn's words forced
upon him that until he made better
start on the road to success he could
not marry May with the consent Of her
father.
He returned to his chambers without
having breathed a word to the stock
broker Of his love for May.
There ensued during the next fort
night conflict in his mind between the
dictates OF love and what he conceived
to be the dictates of duty. He resolved
to think of marriage with May az q
prize which must be won by Homeric
effort and Spartan sacrifice. He at
tended the courts moro regularly, and
penetrated the mysteries Of civil law
more assiduously than ever. .
Mr. Brazenface, tho young leader Of
forty who had made a name in ca"sc
cfitLrc two years ago and was now over
loaded with briefs, sat in court in a
state Of considerable anxiety. He was
engaged for the defence in n certain
case, and he was anxious to know when
it was likely to be reached, as he had a
case on bis hands in another court. 1t
Was therefore with much satisfaction
that he heard the counsel addressing
the court enlarge the area of his case.
When the said counsel came to emu
mcrate the Witnesses he intended call
ing Mr.. Brazenface's perfect peace Of
mind was assured.
"You might hold my brief till re-
turn, Digby," he whispered. "There
are some points in it which may in
terest you. ! shall be back before
lunch"
Walter prepared himself for study
lug tie brief and felt grateful to Mr.
BrazcDface for giving him the oppor-
tunity of doing so. He bad made the
,ucctssiul pleadcrs acquaintance in
dis court, and had more than once
been assisted by his advice.
His eyes had only just lighted on the
first page when be stopped short in
surprise 10y reading the name Richard
rempleton. He read on with greater
interest Gradually he came to under
stand that the case arose ont OF a stock
exchange transaction, in which Mr.
Templeton, acting as brokerfor a coun-
try squire, was alleged to have wrong
fully detained certain moneys. Walter
was fairly well versed in the mat
ter of stocks and shares, having
Il one time looked to them as
the easiest means Of making the for
tune with which to win fame. Hecould
easily see that the charge, though Sc
rious one, arose out Of the blun1er OF
the Squire's and could be easily rebut-
ted. He was thinking Of the easy vic
tory Mr.. Brazenface would get, OF the
crushing way in which he would cross
examine, and the "Sporus aud butter
fly" character of his reply, when he
was startled to hear a clarion voice pro
uouuce "Lumpkin CcrsUs IempletOn y
Counsel had inst concluded confab
resulting in an abrupt termination to
the case which SIR Brazenface had seen
commenced with such complacency.
Walter anxiously looked round the
court for the missing counsel. He was
nowhere to be seen. The situation was
an awkward one. Owing to the little
importance attached to the case only
NJ. BrazeDface had been engaged for
the defence, aud he was not here. Wal
ter cast another hurried glance round
the court, and tins time saw, not Mr.
Braztniace, but Mr.. Templeton him
self.
Counsel for the plaintiff rose, made a
clever speech, putting his case IN the
WAY so familiar to frequenters OF law
courts, which could not fail to convince
any intelligent man of the Justice OF his
cause, if another counsel did not have
his way in reply. The plaintiff then
appeared in the witness-box, and IN
very nervous state managed to utter the
sentences suggested to him by his al
yocate. who next handed to the judge q
certain document Of importance IN the
case. While the Judge and jury were
examining it Walter beckoned 10 Mr..
TeInpleton.
Mr.. TempletOn proceeded from the
body of the court, where he had pa
eddy surveyed the proceedings in happy
ignorance of the absence Of his com
sci, to the place where the learned gen
tlemen were sitting.
81 regret to say, Mr.. Temp'eton,
that Mr.. Brazenface has not yet Re-
turned to the court, which he left in the
belief that your case was not coming on
vet No doubt he will be here direc.-
ly," whispered Walter.
Mr.. Templeton looked somewhat
alarmed. AS stock-broker with large
dealings he had more than once as
plaintiff or defendant figured in a court
of Justice, but his knowledge OF legal
forms and procedure being as limited
as that of laymen usually IS did not
know what this might portend.
81 trust no serious consequences will
ensue. 1t is of vital importance that
nothing prejudicial to my honor or in
4 IL.